Obstetrical device



Jan. 9, 1951 J. R. JOHNSON OBSTETRICAL DEVICE Filed Dec. 8, 1949 INVENTOR JOHN R. JOHNSON ATTORNEY Patented Jan. 9, 1951 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE OBSTETRICAL DEVICE John R. Johnson, Dunn, N. 0.

Application December 8, 1949, Serial N 0. 131,841

Claims. 1

This invention relates to the science of obstetrics, particularly, to a device adapted to prevent asphyxiation of infants in cases of breech (foot first birth.

In cases of birth by breech presentation, the head is the last part of the child to be engaged in the pelvis, and often great difficulty is encountered in getting the head to pass out of the mother. If considerable force is applied to pull the head out, serious risk of injury to the spinal column of the infant is presented. On the other hand, if the childs head is not delivered .within a very short time, of the order of five minutes; great danger exists that the infant will smother for lack of oxygen. The latter circum stance is due primarily to the fact that after the breech "is born as far as the 'umbilicus, the umbilical cord is exposed to a considerable degree of compression between the head and the pelvic brim, which pressure impedes or terminates uteroplacental circulation. Occasionally, if delivery is not effected promptly after the head ispassed into the lower part of the birth canal, the partially-emptied uterus retracts to a sufficient extent to separate the placenta from its walls, and uteroplacental circulation is terminated in "this manner.

It is an object of the'present invention, accordingly, to provide an obstetrical device adapted to induce, permit and assist pulmonary respiration in an infant being born by breech presentation, before the head of the infant has been delivered, whereby the danger of asphyxiation may be obviated and time is afforded for the head of the child to mold itself to shape and be born without injury.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide an obstetrical device to facilitate pulmonary respiration in infants being born by breech presentation, including means for removing mucus and other impediments to respiration from the childs mouth and breathing passages.

Another object of the invention is to provide an obstetrical device to obviate asphyxiation of infants in breech births, adapted for employment with conventional resuscitator and aspirator apparatus.

Further objects of the invention will be in part obvious and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention and, the novel features thereof may best be made clear from the following description and the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure l is a side elevational view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 is a top" plan view of the device of Figure 1, partly in section to show the interior construction thereof; i

Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the device, looking toward the right-hand end of;

Figure 1, and

Figure 4 is an end elevational view device, looking toward the left-hand end of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings, the device is desirably integrally molded or otherwise formed of.

flexible, resilient material such as rubber or suitable synthetic organic plastic material, for

example polyethylene, adapted for routine sterilization. The device comprises .an elongated tubular body member II of flattened cross-sectional shape, preferably oval or rectangular as, shown. One end portion I2 of the body member is curved into gooseneck form, and an encircling flange I3 extends radially therefrom, the flange being positionedadjacent the curved end of the. .body portion whereby the mouthpiece I2 of the body member and outwardly of its curvature.

Two distinct passages I6 and longitudinally entirely through the body member. Opposite end portion I2 thereof, the body member is bifurcate and formed into branches IB and I9, which include, respectively, passages I6 and I1. As shown, branch I8 and the portion of passage I6 extending therethrough are enlarged and adapted for ready connection thereto of the outlet adapter 20 (see Figure 2) of conventional resuscitator apparatus, having the usual flexible tubes 2| and 22 leading thereinto. Branch I9 may be of square cross-sectional shape, and is adapted for convenient con-- nection thereto of an adapter 23, by means of which the passage I! may be connected through flexible tube 24 to conventional aspirator means. The device is utilized in the following manner. In the case of breech birth, when the'body of the child has been substantially completely delivered except for the head and danger of asphyxiation exists for the reasons outlined above, end portion I2 of the device may be inserted into the body of the mother, between the child and the vaginal wall. and the mouthpiece I4 01 the cf the I I extending mouthpiece, and additionally functions. asa seal. about thelips of the infant, the recess It being;

provided to fit under the nose.

When the device has been properly positioned oxygen or a mixture of oxygen and carbon dioxide may be delivered to the infant in controlled manner, as by means of resuscitator apparatus com nected to the branch 18, whereby pulmonary respiration in the infant may be induced. Branches l8 and 19, it will be understood, remaineontsid v the mothers body. Once induced, use of the resuscitator apparatus through passage 1'5 may be continued to. assistthe breathing of, the infant,

if required, or the outlet adapter 2Qmay be disconnected from branch l3, and'the. child permit,- tedto breathe without assistance.

By means oi flexible tube; 2t and. adapter 23,

suitable aspirator apparatus may be connected to branch 19- and' passage 11 of.the devices whereby mucus and other impediments to breathing may be removed from the infants mouth. thereionaspiration and resuscitationmay becarried; out" successively, alternately or. simultane;

ously, as circumstancesmay dictate. The passfi fi. IT mayflalso be utilized'forthe escape of gases,

which may also be conveniently controlled by means of), a petcock' (not shown) associated with tube 24*. g In themanner described, pulmonary respiration may be induced in the infant. and; maintained untildelivery of.the headisieifected andithe danger of asphyxia inherent, in, breech.

births. averted.

It, will thus be seen that there. hasv been pro,-

vid'ed' by this inventionia structure in whichithe, various, objects hereinbefore set forth, together with many practicaliadvantagesh are. successfully achieved; As various pos i e. embodiments may be made of the mechanical'features. of the abova invention, all Without departing. from the scope.

thereof; it. is to be; understQ .d thatall. matter.

hereinbefore set forth or shown in the acqomr panyingdrawings is to be interpreted as illustrative, and not in a limitingsense.

I' claim:

1..An Obstetrical, device c mprisin a. ubular. elongated" ody, member havi g. aspair. 0t. distinct:

Since distinct passages are provided longitudinal passages extending therethrough, one end of said body member being curved into gooseneck form, and a flange extending radially from said body member adjacent the curved end thereof.

2. An obstetrical device comprising a tubular elongated body member having a pair of distinct longitudinal passages extending therethrough, one end of said body member being curved into gposeneck form; and a fiexiblefiange extending radially from said body member adjacent the curved end thereof, the other end of said body member being adapted for connection of resuscitator apparatus to one of said passages and for connection of aspirator apparatus to the other of saicL'passa-ges.

3, An obstetrical device comprising a tubular elongated body member of flattened cross-sectional shape having a pair of distinct longitudinal passages extending therethrough, said body member being constnucted of resilient material one end 01 said body-member being curveddntoigoosee. neck-dorm, and an. integral. flange. of generally. oval shape extending radially fromy saidbodymember. adjacent. the, curved end; thereof.

4t. An. obstetrical: device. comprising. aetubular elongated body member having a pain of distinct:

longitudinal. passages therethrough; one. end of. said; body member: being curved into. gooseneck-g form, the. other end of saidebody memberVbei-ng. bifurcated; the end of onebranch of; said bi-furv cated; end being adapted-for. connectionuof suseitaton apparatus to .one; oi. said passagesand;

the. end-of the other branch. being, adapted for connectionof aspirator apparatusitmthe, other of said passages.

5. An obstetrical: devicecomprisingya tubulanelongated. body member oiflatteneii; cross-sec: tionalshapehaving-a pair oidistinct longitudinal.

passa es. extendingtherethrough, said body-111cm her being constructed of. resilient material, one. end. of said: body member. being curved: i ter goosenecleform, the otherend oi saidbody. me. her being bifurcated,oneotsaidbifurcatedend, branches. containing one: ofv said. passages; and:

being adapted for, connection of. resuscitation ape,

paratus thereto, the other of..s-aid. .bifurcated end.

branches containing the... otherof said passages body, member adjacent. the; curved enddhereoh.

. JOHN JOIINSQNL.

No; references cited; 

